UC choice for Engineering

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>There was no forum for all UCs... so rather than posting in each UC subforum, I thought I'd post here.</p>

<p>UCLA:
I want to go into Engineering, but I understand that if I don't get in, they won't really look at alternate major, nor will they look at me for the College of Letters and Science. So...How do I know whether it's better for me to apply straight into college of letters and science just to get in at all?</p>

<p>Berkeley:
Again, if I don't get into Engineering, I don't get in at all.</p>

<p>For the above two schools, are their any posted statistics that will show how much more selective the Engineering schools are as opposed to general admission? (Actually...this question goes for all schools, not just the above two...but most importantly B and LA)</p>

<p>Santa Barbara:
I can put my major and alternate major in the College of Engineering, and if I don't get into either, they will consider me for College of Letters and Science, correct?</p>

<p>San Diego:
"Applicants to majors in engineering must indicate an alternate major."
does this mean alternate out of the school of engineering, or both in engineering like Santa Barbara?</p>

<p>Santa Cruz:
Same exact question as UCSD</p>

<p>Davis:
"Applicants should select an alternate major; in some cases, it may be considered." Sort of same question as UCLA...</p>

<p>Irvine:
Primary and alternate both in engineering? 1 in each? They're extremely vague.</p>

<p>Riverside:
"Eligible freshman applicants will be admitted to their preferred major." So basically, if I get into Riverside, I automatically get into my major?</p>

<p>Please answer as many questions as possible.</p>

<p>Thank You
-Roy</p>

2

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-general/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-general/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>as for alt. major at SD, i put both engineering. they didn't say anything, so i guess it worked.</p>

<p>i don't believe admission to engineering at LA is significantly more difficult than L&S. they just look for different things. case in point: i'm about average for an LA admit, if not lower...i still got the recommended letter to HSSEAS. i dunno how it is at Berkeley, but i don't think it's much different either. admissions statistics to specific schools are not posted. if you're that worried, apply to L&S and try transferring.</p>

3

<p>thank you for all the info toxic waste</p>

<p>and if only i would have seen that subforum earlier....</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
i don't believe admission to engineering at LA is significantly more difficult than L&S.

[/quote]
I disagree heavily with that. The SAT and GPA averages are higher. At least this was true in 03 when I was applying UCLA.</p>

5

<p>How can I find the official admitted average GPAs, SATs, etc?</p>

6

<p>yeah, engineering is harder to get into at UCLA... Its not by too much, but I remember it had me worried when I applied... Don't remember where I got the stats from though. Also, I think changing majors is easier at UCLA than at Berkeley. From what I remember, simply changing majors within engineering is quite difficult at Berkeley when compared to UCLA.</p>

7

<p>UC apps are almost due and I don't know what major I should apply to for LA, B, and SD...(and the rest of the schools)</p>

<p>Please, time is nearing, is there any concrete info????</p>

<p>Thanks,
Roy</p>

8

<p>there's no concrete stuff as far as i know.</p>

<p>take a look at your extracurriculars, classes, grades, and test scores. basically, did you spend some extra effort on engineering-related studies (chemistry, physics, computer science, math, maybe bio if you want bio(medical) engineering?) and do well, at least in the case of classes and scores.
if not, then go for physics or applied math and try to transfer since you're so concerned.</p>

9

<p>I will speak on UCLA since I go there. </p>

<p>One thing about UCLA engineering is that once you're admitted, it's a lot easier to transfer to the college of Letters and Sciences than vice versa. I suggest you go for the school of engineering! why? Because if you go through the college of letters and science and you find yourself struggling with lower division weeder classes, you might find it difficult to transfer into engineering. On the other hand, if you're already in the school of engineering and those weeder classes mess you up, you'll still be in your major (sometimes a lot of people struggle with weeder classes, but excel in their engineering courses). From there you can decide to either stay in engineering or leave.</p>

<p>As for admission, I think it's about the same with the college of letters and sciences. The engineering school will POSSIBLY weigh your math/science test scores more heavily, which may help you if you had horrible verbal scores like myself, but don't take my word for it. It just seems logical to weigh your math/science abilities for an engineering applicant. </p>

<p>I think the payoff you get from entering as an engineer is a lot better, even if the chances may be slightly different. But all in all, I think your chances are the same. Good luck!</p>

10

<p>I have a 730 physics satII
and a 750 math II satII
im currently in AP physics B and AP calculus AB
and i took a physiology class and a programming in computing class over the summer at UCLA (A+ in both)
my general sat is CR: 590 Math: 750 Wr: 670 in one sitting= 2010.
i am generally a math-science person gradeswise in school</p>

<p>I was in FIRST robotics and also competed in an international physics-related competition and won an honorable mention with my team.</p>

<p>I am really just hoping for any info on how selective they actually are.
from what I heard it's really hard to transfer into engineering if I applied to regular</p>

<p>EDIT: Just saw your post, Mdelaros, thanks</p>

11

<p>Your stats are too good and science related to take the "safer" route through a non-engineering major. </p>

<p>ENGINEERING ALL THE WAY! You'll be fine</p>

12

<p>Cal releases some stats on matriculated students.</p>

<p>UCB</a> Undergraduate Statistics, Fall 2007</p>

13

<p>yeah, Mdelaros makes a good point, apply engineering at UCLA. I got in with lower stats than yours (though I'm not sure about your GPA)</p>